18. Another First Date
Another First Date
Nadine stared at herself in the mirror. She adjusted her top a second time, making sure she wasn’t spilling over in the corset that she was wearing.
Maybe she was doing too much? Was this outfit too “sexy” for a first date even though she’d seen her naked?
Was she too old to be wearing this? Maybe she should change.
She was second guessing everything. She looked down in her jewelry box for her earrings to distract herself.
“Stop second guessing yourself. You look beautiful.”
Nadine looked up to see Eddie standing at the entrance to her walk-in closet, his tall frame leaning against it. It felt so strange to have him staring at her, getting ready to go out with someone else. But this was their new normal, she supposed.
“You don’t think it’s too much?”
Eddie walked over to her, placing his hands on her shoulders, massaging them. “Absolutely not. Why do you think it’s too much?”
Nadine shrugged. “I don’t know. I feel silly. I’ve never been on a real date with a woman. And I haven’t been on a first date in…”
“Seventeen years,” Eddie finished with a smile. “I remember that day like it was yesterday. I was the nervous one.”
“You brought Alex and me flowers.” She giggled. Nadine remembered, fondly. “I still have a rose from the bouquet pressed in a book somewhere.” She sighed, placing her hands on her vanity. “Maybe this is a bad idea. Maybe I’m too old for this shit. I shoulda done all of this in my twenties.”
“But you didn’t. You’re finding out who you are. Isn’t this what this is about?”
“Ugh,” groaned Nadine. “That’s easier when you’re younger and prettier.”
“Baby,” Eddie leaned down, kissing the curve of her neck. “You’re allowed to find yourself at any age. You are prettier than all the flowers I’ve ever bought you. And if she can’t see that, or appreciate that, come home to the man who does.”
Nadine turned around to look up at her husband. She rubbed her hand over his soft waves and watched as his eyes closed. “What did I do to deserve you?”
“Nothing but being you.” Eddie kissed the delicate skin of her wrist, inhaling her scent. “Go have fun, love. Don’t keep her waiting.”
Nadine arrived a bit early at Bastion, a quaint tapas restaurant in the heart of downtown.
She picked it because the vibe seemed intimate and chill.
It was the perfect place for them to talk and get to know each other beyond their obvious attraction.
Not to mention, she wanted to spoil Zaire with the good wine, food, and amazing music that the place offered.
The waiter, an older gentleman, sat Nadine at a small table near the windows, not too far from the entrance.
She wanted to be able to spot Zaire when she walked in.
She ordered Sangria and sipped as she enjoyed the Bossa Nova music playing in the background.
As the waiter came over to refill her water glass a second time, Nadine looked up to see Zaire coming through the door.
“Jesus,” Nadine said under her breath.
Wearing a short, strapless, black dress that barely covered her ass, all eyes were on Zaire as she glided through the room toward Nadine.
Her skin was glistening, as if she was dipped in diamonds.
It was a far cry from the sweats, leggings, and joggers she wore most days.
Zaire made it to Nadine and smiled. Nadine rose out of her seat, leaning in to give Zaire a hug.
She smelled so good, like cherries and cinnamon.
It took everything in Nadine not to lick her.
Zaire gave her a quick peck to the cheek. “Hey beautiful. Damn, you look good.”
“I definitely can say the same for you. All eyes were on you when you walked in here.”
Zaire slid into the chair across from Nadine. “Well, as long as the most important eyes that were on me were yours, then I am fine.”
Nadine shook her head, smiling. “You can’t help but flirt, can you?”
“You know you like it, Cookie. Besides, any opportunity to make you blush is so worth it. You should try it sometimes.”
The waiter returned, smiling as he brought the menus. “Hello ladies, you both look lovely. Welcome to Bastion.” He turned to Zaire. “Can I interest you in a drink while you peruse the menu?”
“I’ll have a Sangria too,” said Zaire.
“I’ll have another,” Nadine chimed in.
“Very well,” he said in a thick Spanish accent. “I’ll be back with your drinks and to get your orders.”
Nadine watched as Zaire took in the atmosphere. Bastion also had a small dance floor where folks also salsa danced later in the evening. She turned to Nadine, giving her a sly grin.
“So, are you going to take me for a spin on the dance floor too?”
Nadine chuckled softly. “Honestly, I have two left feet, but if that’s what you want. I can make an exception.”
“Good,” Zaire crossed her thick legs, Nadine watching the movement as the dress rode up her thighs. Did she even have on underwear? Nadine was curious to find out. She took a quick sip of her Sangria, trying to focus on something else.
“I’m glad you were able to make time to do this,” Nadine began. “I really appreciate it.”
“I’m glad I did too. Besides, this morning, a little birdie sent me $2k via Zelle as some incentive to say yes.”
Nadine smiled behind her glass. “Well, you said was you were missing out on money at the club tonight. Just letting you know I value your time.”
“You didn’t have to do that.”
“But I did. It got you here. And that’s all that matters.”
Zaire slid her hand across the table, taking Nadine’s hand into hers. “I was going to say yes regardless. You know I’m not with you because you have money, right?”
Nadine traced Zaire’s sparkly green painted nails with her index finger. “Oh yeah, then why are you with me?”
“You’re beautiful, kind, and got the sweetest tasting pussy on the planet. Plus…you make amazing pastries. My taste buds thank you for both.”
Nadine laughed so embarrassingly loud that the neighboring table was looking at her. She could feel her face heat. “Stop it.”
“Seriously, Nadine. You’re a whiz when it comes to baking. Why aren't you doing that instead of slaving behind some desk looking at numbers? I know you’re making bank, but you seem so unhappy.”
Nadine shrugged. It wasn’t the first time someone had asked her about her passion for baking.
Eddie included. “I guess I was just playing it safe. I thought having a bakery was taking a huge risk. Plus, my mother said I would have been wasting all her and my dad’s hard-earned money that they sacrificed for my education.
I’d be throwing it away to make treats. Her words. ”
Zaire gave Nadine a soft, sympathetic smile. “I think your parents have gotten their monies worth in terms of your degree. It’s time you do stuff on your own. I see how miserable you are at your desk most days. What are you trying to prove?”
Nadine sighed before sipping her Sangria. She was miserable. And knowing that Mitchell was probably trying to sabotage her didn’t help. It was making her question why she had returned back to work in the first place. Zaire was right. She didn’t have shit to prove to those people. Not anymore.
The waiter returned with their drinks. “Ladies, have you all decided on what you’ll start with?”
Nadine glanced at the menu. “I think I’ll start with Manchego mushroom croquettes.”
The waiter turned to Zaire. “And for you lovely daughter?”
Nadine’s eyes widened as she looked at Zaire, whose brow was furrowed with anger. She and Zaire didn’t resemble each other in the least. They were literally like night and day in terms of appearance.
“Daughter? You think this fine ass woman is my mother?” scoffed Zaire
“Z, it’s ok,” Nadine said, waving off the comment. She didn’t want to cause a scene.
The waiter motioned between the two women. “Oh. Is it not? I just assumed.”
“Sir, it’s fine. We…“ Nadine attempted to explain, but Zaire wasn’t having it.
“Would I do this to my mother?”
With that, Zaire leaned across the table, cupped Nadine’s chin, and slipped her tongue into her mouth nastily.
Nadine moaned, enjoying the taste of Sangria mixed with Zaire’s gloss on her lips.
She attempted to pull back, but Zaire held on tighter, tangling her tongue with hers until they parted with a wet smack to their lips.
Nadine could feel the wetness pooling in her panties.
She could hear a neighboring table say “damn” as she adjusted herself in her seat.
“Oh,” the waiter, who was turning redder by the second, began to apologize profusely. “I am so sorry for assuming.”
Zaire adjusted herself back into her seat. “And I’ll have the grilled octopus.”
Nadine watched as the waiter scurried away. She tried her best not to laugh and just shook her head. “You didn’t have to do that to that man.”
“Yes, the fuck I did,” Zaire declared. “I had to let him know this was a date. I mean, you’re Big Mama, but not my mama.”
Nadine held up a hand. “Ugh, do not call me Big Mama. That definitely makes me feel geriatric.”
Zaire chuckled. “Nah, not like that. I am not talking grandma status. More like…big boss energy.”
“I see. I guess I’ll take that. Even though I’d argue you’re the one with all the boss energy.”
Zaire looked down, fiddling with her napkin. She was silent for a few beats before responding. “I guess it’s a defense mechanism in a way.”
Nadine didn’t understand. “What do you mean?”
Zaire exhaled a few times before continuing. “Growing up with dark skin, nappy hair, and hand me down clothes. Shoes from Walmart. I got teased a lot.”
“I see. I’m sorry that happened to you.”
“It’s cool. I see it as character building now, but back then, not so much.
What those folks failed to see was that I loved myself fiercely.
I probably could psychoanalyze myself, but I won’t.
” Zaire leaned closer to Nadine, smiling.
“I am sure you had everybody tripping over you. Curly hair. Hazel eyes. Caramel skin.”